Liverpool's Sefton Park was once the venue for the popular Larks In The Park festival, attracting music lovers in the 1980s with local and UK bands. The unique event layout and its significance in the city's cultural calendar are remembered fondly by many, despite the festival being discontinued.
Liverpool's Long Lost Festival
A long lost festival loved by a generation saw hundreds of music fans descend on one Liverpool park for years. Before the days of Africa Oye and the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF), many will remember heading to Sefton Park for an entirely different event 40 years ago.
Inception and Concept
First taking place in July 1980, Larks In The Park was a much anticipated fixture in the yearly cultural calendar by punks, indie kids, world music lovers and everyone in between. The festival's unique layout saw the stage built upon an extended version of the park bandstand with a moat between it and the audience. Initially, Larks In The Park was a series of one-day rock concerts running every Sunday over a month, with a focus on showcasing local bands and artists.
- On July 18, 1980, the Liverpool ECHO reported how the festival was a result of three months planning by organisers Derek Murray, Terry Canning and Selwyn Hyams. Derek Murray expressed the desire to create an event for the young people of Liverpool, providing free concerts in the park as a creative outlet amidst the city's challenges.
Growth and Legacy
Despite challenges such as inclement weather, Larks In The Park continued to draw crowds and featured prominent acts like Echo and the Bunnymen, The La's, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The festival's popularity led to calls for its revival, but it paved the way for subsequent events like Earthbeat festival, which embraced diverse music genres and emerged as a cultural highlight in the city.
- Indie music lovers were treated to performances by bands like Pulp, The Stone Roses, and The La's at Earthbeat festival, carrying on the tradition of showcasing emerging talents alongside established acts in Sefton Park.
Continued Cultural Significance
While Larks In The Park may be a distant memory for some, the legacy of music festivals in Sefton Park lives on through events like Africa Oye, Liverpool International Music Festival, and more recent additions like BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. These gatherings continue to celebrate music and culture in a setting that holds nostalgic memories for those who attended the long lost 80s festivals.
Sefton Park remains a beloved venue for music events, each contributing to the city's vibrant cultural tapestry and carrying on the spirit of community and creativity that defined festivals like Larks In The Park.
Published on 01 August 2025 by Ben Robinson
